‘I’d better.’
‘If you insist.’
They climbed out of Jack’s Mustang and walked toward the front door.
‘He didn’t pull anything yesterday,’ Dani said.
‘He didn’t dare. I was with you all day.’
She unlocked the door. They stepped inside. The house was silent. They walked through it as quietly as intruders, checking all the windows and doors.
‘I guess it’s all right,’ Jack whispered when they reached the kitchen.
‘Then why,’ she whispered, ‘are we whispering?’
He grinned. ‘Beats me,’ he said in his normal voice.
Dani glanced at the workroom door. The lock button protruded from its handle. ‘Did we leave that unlocked this morning?’
‘Might’ve.’
With a shrug, she stepped around the kitchen table and opened the door. She flicked the light switch. ‘Anybody home?’ she asked.
‘Let’s make sure.’
They entered the workroom. It felt hot and stuffy.
‘I’ll check the back door,’ Dani said.
Jack nodded and stepped around the lathe, making his way toward the side window.
As she passed the workbench, Dani picked up the rusted machete. ‘Maybe I should keep this with me,’ she said. Smiling across at Jack, she waved it overhead.
‘Give him forty whacks.’
‘Yuck.’ She set it down and continued toward the rear door.
‘Window’s all . . .’
‘Jack!’ She staggered backwards a step, her gaze fixed on the empty space of wall.
He rushed to her side.
She pointed. ‘My life mask. It’s gone.’
He was silent for a moment. ‘Let’s look around. Maybe it’s just misplaced.’
She shook her head. She felt weak and dizzy. Jack’s hand pressed gently against her back.
‘It was here Saturday morning,’ he said.
‘We showed Tony how. He . . . he wants my head on Ingrid.’
Jack mussed her hair. ‘As long as he doesn’t get the real one.’
She tried to smile.
‘Honey, it’s only a hunk of plaster.’
‘It’s my face. And Ingrid’s my body. God, I can almost feel him touching it.’
‘That’s me,’ Jack said, pulling her close. He stroked her back. His lips pressed her mouth. She held him tightly. ‘We’ll get Ingrid,’ he finally said.
‘How?’
‘Tony’s bound to show up.’
Jack checked the rear door. Then they left the stifling workroom.
‘I’ll only be gone an hour,’ he said.
‘You sure I can’t help?’
‘You’d be grossed out.’
‘Your place can’t be that messy.’
‘If you’re afraid to stay here . . .’
‘No.’
‘I’ll just grab enough for one suitcase, and scurry right back.’
When he was gone, Dani chained the front door. She went into the bedroom. Through the glass door, the swimming pool looked shiny and inviting. She could almost feel the cold shock of water. But she was afraid.
Afraid to use her own pool because she was alone and Tony might come through the gate.
‘Damn him,’ she muttered.
Might as well play it safe, though. Why take chances? Just stay locked up in your cage so the bastard can’t get at you . . .
Some cage. A glass house. If Tony wanted, he could get to her in seconds.
With that thought, she convinced herself: she was no safer in the house than outside.
‘Clever me,’ she muttered.
Laughing softly, she stripped off her sweaty clothes. She went into the bathroom and reached for the bikini hanging over the shower door. It was the skimpy orange one she’d been wearing Saturday. When Tony dropped in.
‘No way,’ she said.
She went to her dresser and took out a green, one-piece suit. Though low cut and backless, it was a vast improvement over the bikini. She stepped into it, pulled it up her legs and lifted the front over her breasts. As she slipped her arms into the straps, she suddenly realised why she was putting it on.
So Tony wouldn’t see her in the bikini.
Did she expect him to show up?
Yeah. Or why the modest suit?
‘Let him,’ she said. Picking up a towel, she walked to the door, slid it open and stepped outside. The sun felt warm. A mild breeze blew against her.
‘Where’d Jack go?’ Tony asked.
Dani’s head jerked to the right.
Tony was sitting shirtless on a lounger, hands folded behind his glossy head. The bandages were gone. His face was bruised, blotched and streaked with brown scabs. His left eye was nearly hidden under bulbs of swollen flesh.
Dani stared at him, more confused than alarmed, feeling as if she’d somehow conjured him up. ‘How long have you been here?’ she asked. The sound of her voice brought back a sense of reality.
‘Just a few minutes. I hope you don’t mind.’
‘You saw Jack leave?’
‘No. I just noticed his car wasn’t out front.’
‘You were coming by anyway?’
He nodded.
‘Quite a coincidence.’
‘Huh?’
‘Jack happens to be gone every time you show up.’
‘Yeah. I keep missing him.’
‘You’re watching the house.’ It was not a question.
He looked at Dani as if she were mad.
‘And your mother didn’t die on Saturday.’
He unlocked his hands from behind his head and leaned forward, frowning. ‘She died. Just like I said. Why should I lie?’
‘Worked out pretty well, didn’t it? I let you stay, I fed you, I took you to the movies. You got your chance to put some moves on me . . .’
‘You’re crazy!’
‘I was crazy to believe you. But, oh, I fell for it, didn’t I? You must figure I’m a real push-over. Give me a sob story, I’m putty in your hands. What’ll it be today, Tony? Father die? Dog hit by a car? Come on, let’s hear it. You wouldn’t come without a story for the old softie here.’
He stood up.
Dani backed away as he slowly approached.
‘I just can’t stay away from you.’
‘You do a good job of it when Jack’s around.’
‘He hates me.’
Reaching behind her, Dani gripped the door handle. ‘I want you to leave. Right now.’
He shook his head. ‘I can’t. I love you. I love you so much.’
‘Then do what I want. Go away. Please.’
‘I’ve never loved a woman before. I’ve never made love before.’
‘I don’t want you, Tony,’ she said in a shaky voice.
‘Yes you do.’
She suddenly tugged the handle. As the door skidded open, she whirled around and lunged into the bedroom. She tried to jerk the door shut. Tony’s body stopped it. He shoved it aside and entered.
Dani staggered backwards. ‘Get away,’ she gasped.
‘I love you. I won’t hurt you.’
‘Tony!’
‘We’ll make love. You like that. You do it all the time with Jack.’
‘You’re not Jack!’
‘I’ll make you happier than he ever could. You’ll see.’ He walked toward her.
Dani glanced back. She could try for the bathroom, but its lock wouldn’t keep him out for five seconds and she would be trapped. Her only chance was to run for the corridor.
‘Don’t,’ Tony said. ‘Don’t try to get away. I love you.’
‘I hate you!’ she shouted, still backing away.
‘Oh, don’t say that. You know it’s not true.’
‘Leave me alone!’
‘Take off your swimming suit. I want to see you naked. I want to touch you. I want to kiss you all over and . . .’ His body went rigid. He took a quick step back.
Dani spun around and gasped.
r /> In the bedroom doorway stood a big man. He wore jeans, a parka. A blue ski mask covered his head. His gloved hand clutched a machete.
He raised the machete overhead and charged.
Tony darted through the sliding door.
The man rushed past Dani. In silence, he pursued Tony along the side of the pool. Tony reached the redwood fence well ahead of him, leaped, and clambered over the top.
The man came back. He tossed the machete onto one of the lounge chairs, and pulled off his ski mask.
Dani threw herself into his arms.
25
‘ARE YOU all right?’ Jack asked.
Dani hugged him tightly. ‘He was going to . . .’
‘I know.’
‘I was so scared. I couldn’t have stopped him. Oh God, Jack.’
‘It’s all right.’
‘I couldn’t have stopped him,’ she sobbed, pressing her face to Jack’s shoulder. ‘If you hadn’t come . . .’
‘I was pretty sure he’d take the bait.’
She looked up at Jack. His face was blurry through her tears. ‘I don’t understand.’
‘I expected something like this. I found his hearse on the next street up, so I left my car there and ran back.’
‘In costume?’ she asked, wiping her eyes.
‘I figured I’d give him a dose of his own medicine. When I got here, I saw you outside with him. I went in the workroom for the machete, and by the time I came you were in the bedroom.’
‘You mean you never really planned to go to your apartment? You just left me alone to lure him in?’
‘That’s about it.’
She smiled up at him. ‘You’re a pretty sneaky fellow, Jack Somers.’
‘Takes a sneak to catch a sneak.’
‘You could’ve let me in on your plan, you know.’
‘And ruin the surprise?’
‘I wouldn’t have minded.’
With a smile, he stroked the back of her head. ‘Actually, I do have to go to my apartment.’
‘What’s this, another test to see if Tony shows up?’
‘I think he’s learned his lesson. But just in case I’m wrong, you’re coming with me.’
‘What about the mess?’
‘If you’re grossed out, you can shut your eyes.’
He stared at a gray Mercedes parked in front of the apartment building. ‘Uh-oh.’
‘What?’ Dani asked.
‘Margot’s car.’
‘Oh no.’
He swung his Mustang to the curb. ‘I guess she didn’t take no for an answer.’
‘Maybe I’d better wait here.’
Jack grinned at her. ‘Scared?’
‘I’m not sure I’m up to any more confrontations.’
‘Come on.’
‘I don’t know, Jack.’
‘I’m warning you, she might have designs on my body. You’d better come up to protect your interests.’
‘Well . . .’ Dani shrugged and climbed from the car.
Jack took her hand. ‘Don’t be nervous.’
‘Sure.’
As they climbed the stairs to the second floor, Dani’s reluctance grew. Her stomach hurt. Her heart pounded hard. Her hand was sweaty in Jack’s grip. ‘I don’t know about this,’ she whispered.
‘I haven’t seen a good cat fight in ages.’
‘Oh wonderful.’
‘Don’t worry, I won’t let her hurt you.’
‘You may think this is amusing, but I bet Margot won’t.’
‘I really should’ve taken my key away from her. Hope she’s not in there wrecking the place.’ He slid a key into the lock, turned it, and eased open the door. He leaned into the gap. ‘Oh my God,’ he muttered. ‘Margot!’
Then he shoved the door open wide.
Dani glimpsed a naked woman and quickly turned away. ‘I’ll meet you in the car,’ she said.
Jack grabbed her arm. ‘Oh no you don’t.’
‘You despicable cad.’
‘I know,’ he said. Grinning, Jack sipped his margarita.
Dani raised herself off the lounge chair and turned it away from the pool’s glare. She sat down again, facing Jack.
‘Do you still love me?’ he asked.
‘You’re so damned pleased with yourself.’
‘I have to admit it, I am.’
She licked the salty rim of her glass, and took a drink. ‘You really put me through it.’
‘I am rather sorry about that.’
‘Rather sorry?’
‘Will you forgive me?’
‘I’ll give it some thought.’
Setting his glass aside, he dropped from his chair and knelt in front of Dani. ‘Oh please. I humble myself before you.’
‘I don’t know.’
He pressed his forehead against her knees. His hands moved up her thighs.
‘What are you doing?’
‘Humbling myself.’
‘That’s not what it feels like.’
‘This is how a cad does it,’ he said, and plucked open the bikini strings at her hips.
Dani dumped her margarita on his head. He flinched and cringed, raised his dripping face and grinned. ‘Does this mean we’re even?’
She smoothed his wet hair. ‘Actually, you’re a very thoughtful guy in your own perverted way.’
‘I know.’
‘Have I thanked you?’
‘Not yet.’
‘Remind me. I’ll thank you after dinner.’
They ate pork chops and rice by candle-light in the dining room. When they were done, Jack reminded Dani to thank him.
They each carried a candle down the dark corridor to the bedroom and placed them side by side on the dresser. The mirror caught the flames, made twins of them.
Dani turned to Jack. She caressed his chest, hands roaming over his soft hair, feeling the firm smoothness beneath, thumbs stroking his nipples while he untied the strings behind her neck and back. Her bikini top fell away. She trembled as he touched her breasts, as his fingers slid down her body and plucked the strings at her hips. Then she was naked. A hand was big and warm, moving over her buttocks. Another hand curved over her thigh. Like a breeze, it stirred the hair between her legs. It pressed in. It rubbed. Squirming against it, Dani tugged at Jack’s trunks. The hand slid upward, making a wet trail on her belly as she crouched and lowered the trunks to his ankles. She kissed the tip of his rigid penis. Her lips spread over it and she sucked it deep into her mouth.
Then she was on the bed beside Jack, breathless as his tongue thrust into her mouth. He was long and smooth against her. His mouth went away. Kneeling over her, he licked a nipple, squeezed it with his lips, slid a hand down between her legs. A finger dipped into her and stroked.
The doorbell rang.
Jack groaned.
‘Wonderful,’ Dani muttered.
It rang again.
His mouth lifted off her breast. Dani took hold of his hand to stop it from leaving. ‘Never mind the door,’ she said.
Neither of them moved as they waited for the doorbell to stop.
It kept ringing.
‘Persistent bastard,’ Dani said.
‘I’ll see who it is.’
‘No, he’ll go away.’
There were moments of silence, but each time that Dani thought the intruder had left, the bell rang again.
‘Shit.’
‘I wonder if it’s our friend,’ Jack said.
‘He wouldn’t show up with you here.’
‘I’ll be right back. Don’t go away.’
Propped up on an elbow, she watched Jack step into his trunks and hurry from the room. When he was gone, she sat up. Sweat trickled down her body. She wiped it off with a sheet.
The doorbell stopped.
She gazed through the fluttering candle light at Jack’s gift, and smiled. If not for the interruption, her little ‘thank you’ might be over by now.
This gave them both a chance to cool off.
Whe
n Jack returned, they would start fresh.
She stared at the dark corridor beyond the doorway. She heard no voices, no footsteps.
It shouldn’t take him this long.
‘Jack?’ she called.
No answer came.
Suddenly concerned, she scurried off the bed. She grabbed her robe off a closet hook and rushed to the doorway. Leaning out, she peered down the long corridor. Nothing seemed to move in the darkness.
‘Jack?’ she asked in a hushed voice.
There was only silence.
She stepped out of the room. Clawing the wall near the door frame, she found the switch panel. Three overhead lamps came on, filling the corridor with light.
No one was there.
She ran to the front door.
Shut.
Racing past it, she scanned the dark living room. The dining room. She rushed around the bar, into the kitchen. Turned on a light. The kitchen was empty. Her bare feet slapped the linoleum floor as she ran to the workroom. It was dark. Reaching in, she flicked a light switch. She stepped through the doorway. Nobody there.
She ran back to the front door and flung it open. She gazed into the darkness.
Nothing moved.
‘Jack!’ she yelled. ‘Jack, where are you?’
When no answer came, she walked over the cool wet grass to the middle of the lawn.
His Mustang was still in the driveway beside her Rabbit. She crossed over to it and peered inside. The car was empty.
She walked down the driveway to the street. Standing by the curb, she looked both ways. There were parked cars, lights shining in the windows of a few houses, but she saw nobody.
Shivering, she drew the robe more tightly around her body and hurried back to the door.
In the kitchen, she took her largest butcher knife from the rack.
The machete . . .
But it was out by the pool. She wouldn’t go out again.
She turned off the light. Clutching the knife so hard her hand ached, she sat down on the floor. She leaned back against the bar, drew her knees up close, and waited.
26
OPENING HIS eyes, Jack saw blackness. He blinked to be sure they were actually open. A wave of pain crashed inside his head.
He raised a hand to his face, vaguely aware of his elbow sliding on a smooth surface at his side. He thought little of it as he rubbed his temples.
What the hell was wrong with his head?’